Authentic local Experiences at Tracey’s
– escape the hustle and bustle and slow down –
You’re in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey to Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen. Let your shoulders drop as you reflect on the beautiful Marine Nature Reserve with its many little Islands in this the largest inlet of water in the British Isles.
The place of life is slower here, so you may need to take a deep breath and enjoy the view!
And then, of course, there are the animals.
Meet Peggy the Pig, the farm’s wise old matriarch! She’s always keeping the piglets in check. Scratch her back, and she’ll be your best friend—especially if you happen to have a piece of freshly baked soda bread to share!
The dogs—Oscar, Paddy, Ozzy, and Sally—will be the first to say hello, their tails wagging with excitement as they shower you with friendly licks. They, like the rest of the farm, thrive on interaction and love to meet new visitors.
Down by the barns, ducks, hens, piglets and goats await your visit. Bring a handful of treats, give them a cuddle, or simply sit back and enjoy their company. Here, there’s no rush—only the gentle rhythm of farm life.
As you arrive, Tracey and Joe warmly welcome you into their charming 18th-century thatched cottage, located on the edge of Ballymorran Bay – Strangford Lough. Here they live with their two teenage boys. Life is lived in harmony with nature. Their small farm provides nearly everything they need—fresh fruit and vegetables, home-reared beef, and the simple joys of country living.
So take your time. Soak it all in. Welcome to a place where life moves at the perfect pace.
Making Soda Bread the traditional way in Tracey’s Farmhouse
We need only 3 ingredients, and Soda Bread is ready to eat within 15 minutes!
Roll up your sleeves and get floury! This is an immersive experience and you’ll be delighted with your own homemade Soda Bread at the end! It is a very simple but delicious local bread! Tracey will show you how to hand craft Soda Bread in the traditional way. You’ll learn the local Ulster Scots terms for making the Soda bread and you’ll hear the story behind this ancient tradition.
Make some traditional Soda Bread on a Griddle with Tracey in her kitchen.
Soda Bread is a local staple in Northern Ireland and we’re very proud of that fact! It is uniquely of this area. The locals enjoy this simple very tasty griddled bread every day in many ways – as part of an Ulster Fry, with lashings of butter and jam, or just toasted which is my preference. When we make this no yeast Bread we don’t weigh or measure anything. We go by the look and feel of the dough – just the way it would have been done by our Ancestors in Northern Ireland.
Cook lunch with Tracey
This is a Farm to table experience and the ingredients are travelling metres not miles – from Tracey’s Gardens to the kitchen table.
You’ll start with Lemon Balm or Mint Tea from the Garden and some of Tracey’s freshly baked Soda Bannock as you chat with about the ingredients that are in season and what you’ll be harvesting from the Gardens and Poly Tunnels to make lunch.
This is a very relaxed and mindful experience as you cook together and you discuss with Tracey how these ingredients are used in Northern Ireland.
Return to Nature
All of our slow food experiences contribute to responsible tourism. Our Visitors can get involved by helping us plant trees and wildflowers which enhance our local environment and our biodiversity.
We offer litter pick ups around our Lough every week for those who’d like to get involved!
Mindfulness walk and deeper exploration followed by homemade local lunch at Tracey’s Farmhouse
Kitchen.
Escape from modern life as you join Joe, Tracey’s husband, who is a keen Gardener and is always outdoors.
Take time to explore our history and culture – immerse yourself in the deep countryside of this area of outstanding beauty.
Joe loves to show Guests the hidden Bays and Inlets – on our doorstep. You’ll get a deeper understanding of this area. It has a rich history of farming. The unique landscape is referred to locally as “A basket of eggs” It was formed in the last Ice age and has created Drumlins everywhere you look. We have a micro climate as
we’re on the inner Bay of Strangford Lough – this means that unusual flora and fauna is rich and abundant.
This is digital detox at its best!
You’ll immerse yourself in nature and this will be a feast for the senses! Time for a Feast back in Tracey’s kitchen. You’ll have worked up a healthy appetite and lunch or morning coffee will be ready in the kitchen. You’ll enjoy some delicious homemade fayre as you chat with Tracey and Joe in the kitchen.
A restorative experience with Tessa’s Sound Bath Experience
Immerse yourself in a rejuvenating Sound Spa session with Tessa, as soothing tones and vibrations help you unwind and melt your stress away.
Tessa Ann will play a variety of therapeutic sound instruments, including: Tibetan and crystal singing bowls for deep relaxation, the drum for grounding, and
Percussion instruments such as shakers and rain sticks to reawaken the body at the end of the session.
Throughout the session, Tessa will explain how different sounds can affect the body and mind, offering a sound-based relaxation experience.
In a group setting, everyone experiences the sounds uniquely. For some, the effects are physical; for others, they work on an emotional or mental level. Afterward, many describe the feeling as being “bathed in sound”.
Slow Adventure in Northern Ireland as you Paddle or Canoe around our beautiful Islands in Strangford Lough
As you gently paddle around the many beautiful little Islands in the Lough you’ll hear many unusual birds singing and you’ll say hello to a Seal as he pops up and other Sea life in this wonderful marine nature Reserve. Joe will tell you all about the history of this landscape and you’ll feel very reconnected with nature as you glide around the Islands. You’ll be immersed in our place and nature.
You’ll have worked up an appetite afterwards and Tracey will have a big mug of Tea and homemade Cream Cake, and some freshly griddled Soda bread with homemade butter and jam which you’ll no doubt devour!
Our home is located on the stunning Shores of Strangford Lough – in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty just 30 minutes from Belfast. Step into your Canadian Canoe and let the stunning landscape all around you envelope you!
Stay longer with us! What’s your hurry?
We’ll leave a tray of freshly griddled Soda Bread, our Hens’ organic eggs, butter and my homemade jams – and Tea/ Coffee and milk. You’ll have everything you need for a tasty homemade Breakfast! There are many beautiful walks you can take in this area, or you can swim in the Lough if you are looking for an invigorating start to the day!
Feel free to use our Paddle boards and safety equipment.
To book the Cottage go to link “STAY WITH US”
A few years ago we decided to convert two of our Barns – our Piggery and our traditional Milking Parlour into a cosy little Cottage where Guests who don’t want to go home could stay!!
We now have Tracey’s Farmhouse Cottage which has 3 bedrooms – sleeping 6 Guests. It’s cosy with a wood fired log Burner and exposed Beams. We had to move in there a few years ago as we had a flood in our house and I didn’t want to move back!! It was so cosy in the Cottage. You do however need a Car or some method of transport as it’s rural down in this little corner of County Down!
Book Now!
If you’re coming to us from Belfast – 15 minutes into the journey you’ll be surrounded by stunning landscapes and
the calm waters of Strangford Lough
We are absolutely delighted to be included on the global meaningful travel map. We are members of the Tourism Cares Community and we’re united by a shared mission to make a positive impact through travel.
We successfully meet their criteria as follows:
We are absolutely delighted to be included on the global meaningful travel map. We are members of the Tourism Cares Community and we’re united by a shared mission to make a positive impact through travel.
We successfully meet their criteria as follows:
We are absolutely delighted to be included on the global meaningful travel map. We are members of the Tourism Cares Community and we’re united by a shared mission to make a positive impact through travel.
We successfully meet their criteria as follows:
Community Involvement
Ensuring that tourism brings sustainable economic benefits, especially to those not traditionally impacted positively by tourism.
Diversity and Inclusion
Valuing people from all backgrounds and perspectives, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and woman-owned.
Cultural Preservation
Protecting and respecting local cultural heritage, including traditions, practices, and historical sites.
Positive Impact
Including non-profits, social enterprises, B Corps, and other organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in tourism.
Environmental Responsibility
Aligning with Nature Positive Travel & Tourism principles to conserve the environment, enhance biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions.
Local Experiences
Creating immersive experiences that allow guests to gain a deeper understanding of the local people and places they visit.